We went to this restaurant 2 days in a row for breakfast. The service was amazing!!!! Emmalee was our waitress... She was great!!!! Very nice and eager to answer whatever questions we had. The food was so good!!! The first day I had the pumpkin pancakes, amazing!!! The next day I had the French toast which was good and my husband had the granola and banana pancakes omg!!!!!!! They were so good and fresh. If and when I come back to Cincinnati, I'd definitely be back!! Thanks First watch!!! read more

See all

This is feedback for Management. We frequent First Watch Harpers Point location every Saturday and Sunday. The staff here is exceptional and provide great service. However, lately the food quality has not been consistent, with food coming out cold on several visits. One visit our omelettes came out cold, another visit my wife received bacon that looked like it was cooked the day before and warmed up. Another visit I received cold eggs and potatoes. The food quality has been like this our last four visits. This is not the norm for this location and I hope things get better because we really like coming here. However, I expect more consistency and better food quality. read more

This is one of the better First Watch with attentive staff and fast service. Food is well made. I wish they have more variety but it's the typical place for brunch options. I recommend checking out their fresh juice. Day glow is my favorite. read more

First Watch - Seasonal special: smoke salmon with cream cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

Our go-to. We eat here once a week. 100% consistently delicious food and friendly, comfortable, homestyle service. This particular First Watch is our favorite because the person who makes the eggs knows how to get mine exactly right - basted soft. To cook an egg to perfection is a talent and they're always overcooked everywhere else. A delicious happy place for my family. read more

My husband and I ordered the Traditional with scrambled eggs. In all the years we've been going to First Watch this is the first time the portions were really skimpy. The eggs weren't even the size of one egg. I tried to get the waitress but she was really busy and didn't see us. The restaurant wasn't that busy so there was no excuse. One more try and if it stays the same, we're going to the other breakfast restaurants in our neighborhood. There are 2 so that shouldn't be a problem. Raising prices is one thing but skimping on portions is inexcusable. read more

Love their healthy options menu. We tried a kale tonic which was surprisingly tasty. Service was excellent. Food was delish!!

I don't really understand First Watch. It seems to be the cool place to go in Ohio - of course Ohio has a plethora of chain breakfasty type places like Denny's, Bob Evans, Big Boy, etc. However, I got the Parma hash and I was not disappointed. It was delivered quickly and was just what I ordered. The restaurant was crowded, but clean. The service friendly and efficient. Well done, First Watch. Sometimes just being a consistent performer is enough to be successful. read more

Second trip here. Brought a traditionalist. He had the super everything sort of omlette & I had something different. Both were great. It is not cheap, as indicated. You cannot eat anywhere urban anymore for less than 8 bucks for an entree, even breakfast. You can get a fancy bowl of oatmeal here for 5 bucks. The food & menu selection is better than average. Good service. read more

Great early check in and table reserve...We are from Ohio Originally, and now reside in California and were back fr a wedding... We reserved a table got sat right away....Service was very prompt and informed Seating was spacious for our group of 7 and the food some of the best we have had while here, fresh and farmish to fork ROCK ON! read more

This place was so cute and the menu was amazing! A lot of healthy options for the health nuts. The waitress was nice and the restaurant was clean. The food was amazing! I ordered the chickichanga and it reminded of an enchilada but for breakfast! Tasted the pancakes and they are just as yummy. read more

First Watch - Chickichangas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Yeah, so First Watch is a chain. Big deal. It rocks the house for breakfast. I still occasionally do Bob Evan's, although in recent years Bob has largely been replaced by Cracker Barrel. But First Watch is top notch. It's always ultra clean, and the service is always excellent. And though it tends to attract a middle to upper-middle class crowd, it's never pretentious. If you get there during popular breakfast hours on the weekends, you're going to wait. Now the food... mmmmm The blueberry pancakes are huge... and some of the lightest, fluffiest pancakes around. If you're wanting some down home style, dense, cornmeal laden paver stone, well skip First Watch. Because their pancakes are light, fluffy, and melt in your mouth. I cannot recommend them highly enough. The Burrito Vera Cruz is also really tasty - although I am a big fan of chorizo ANYTHING... which means that I am also a fan of their Sonoran Fritatta. The Eggs Benedict is supurb as well. For a spin on it, try out the smoked turkey and avocado! The hollandaise sauce really balances well with it. They also have a very extensive, and attractive looking "Healthy Fare" selection - but from my prior food reviews... well, you can sort of guess that I'm not exactly a "Healthy Fare" sort of guy. BUT if I were... I am certain that it would be good. One would think that the prices would be higher than average for a place with this kind of trendish, high quality ingredient menu. Au contraire!! I can gorge at First Watch and the check be within a few percent of both Cracker Barrel or Bobs. Not quite so for the stupidly expensive, and highly overrated Original Pancake House... but THAT.... that my friends is a different review. ;-) So anyway, all in all, First Watch gets my 5 star rating. read more

My family loves first watch! Their breakfast menu is always delicious and satisfying. My husband and I love to order their fresh juices. The Kale tonic (no ice) is my favorite go to drink to start, order my food and wash it down with some hot tea I love to atmosphere as it's busy, open, yet personal. All the staff are kind and friendly. read more

Cons: Food could have been ever so slightly warmer... Pros: Food was delicious, flavor-wise. Came here to do work on my computer and the service could not have been more perfect. Gave 5 stars because the service was that good. read more

Love First Watch! Always delicious food and quick & friendly service. Wish they had more outdoor seating options. I particularly love the avocado toast and pancakes. My go to breakfast place near Loveland! read more

The food is always consistent and has great flavor. This time I don't think we really had a server. I did decide to still rate 4 stars because on of the employees at the hostess stand noticed after being seated for 10 mins that no one waited on us and took the lead to get our order. The only downfall was no refills also no one asked if we had everything so we had to track someone down. Overall though I'd go back it was a busy day. read more

One of my favorite places to go to for brunch. The atmosphere makes it an excellent place for a family get together or to meet up with friends. The food here is delicious! I ordered the chickchanga which was pretty good. The waitress was nice and attentive. read more

First Watch - Chickchanga - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

My first time ever experiencing a First Watch Daytime Cafe. All I can say is this franchise has a true understanding of the customer experience. The menu selections for breakfast, brunch and lunch are something you would see on a TV cooking show and not your typical traditions of eat out breakfast. I enjoyed the ricotta, lemon pancakes and their traditional breakfast and both are simply to rave over. I can see why there was a 30 minute wait. The wait was well worth it. My compliments to the chefs and employees to this cafe for making my first experience a first impression an excellent one. 5 stars doesn't do you guys any justice. Excellent to say the least. Enjoy! read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

I love this place. But PLEASE PLEASE bring back the all pink yogurt that goes on the fruit crepes!!!!! read more

Very nice place for brunch! It was a busy Sunday morning, but they kept things moving but didn't rush us. Service was great. Food was very good for the price. We especially liked the healthy choices on the menu as well as the not-so-healthy ones. read more

Great folks, great food. We love that you're back open & wish you an abundance of visitors!

I had a special I really loved, huevoes rancheros tostadas! Light and healthy. Sure hope it makes it to the regular menu!

We were visiting friends in Cincinnati and they recommend this place to us for brunch. First impression was that the space was nice, and although they were busy, they turned over tables quickly. They do use Next in Line, or whatever the app name is with Yelp so you can put your name on the waiting list while en route, which is nice. Looking at the menu, my first thought was that they mostly try to promote healthy eating. Nice for some days, but usually, if I'm at brunch, I want good, greasy, fatty, bad-for-me food. They have a few options to try to fill that void, but it's nowhere near a diner breakfast. Definitely more on the up-scale side, which comes with a bit of an up-scale price, but not overpriced for the quality of food. I ordered the bacon avocado omelette which came with a side of roasted potatoes. I thought the omelette could have used more cheese and the avocado could have been in smaller chunks. The potatoes were tasty though and seasoned well. Husband ordered the french toast with a side of potatoes and his only complaint was that he wished the french toast had more cinnamon. I saw a few other options on the menu that were enticing, but if I ever found myself in the area again, I'm not sure I'd choose here to eat again over exploring a new place. The service was good, but they did seem eager to clear our plates before we were ready. Payment is at the front, not through the waiter. read more

My boyfriend and I were so excited to have brunch here but our excitement quickly turned to disappointment. We were seated for several minutes before our server even acknowledged us. When he finally came to get our drink orders he wasn't very pleasant as if he didn't want to be serving us at all. Our food came out cold and wasn't satisfying at all. In the end, we really regretted even choosing this place. For what we were charged one would expect the experience to be a lot better. All and all this will be our last visit. read more

Best Breakfast in Cincinnati, I had the Bacado Omelet, it was amazing, cooked perfectly, ingredients were 100% fresh and the bacon...incredible. The potatoes were cooked crispy but not burnt...overall great service also...a little busy but totally understandable because of the quality of the food read more

Veggie burger was one of the best I had with tomato basil soup . Kale can never taste better when you drink their kale tonic . Healthiest and tastiest of food you can get especially when you are trying to be on diet. Not to mention great service. I would give six stars if they had an option. read more

I have no idea how this chain is always rated best breakfast in Cincinnati. This is a rundown of how experience went : Waitress: Hi, coffee? No how are you , I'm _____ what can I get u to drink etc. Comes back couple minutes later, takes order. Drops food, within a couple minutes drops check, doesn't ask how food is, doesn't offer to get me another juice which I wanted . I ordered a dish with avocado was given 3 tiny slices with brown all over them and my dish was cold and bland. The "greens " weren't dressed at all and tasted as if they hadn't been washed on top of receiving some brown greens. Saw a host re-set a dirty table Waitress cleared plates, never offered drinks to go, never asked how meals were , no thanks for coming in etc. Complete waste of time and money, no desire to return. Much better options like Taste of Belgium, Sleepy Bee, anything downtown , heck even Bob Evans is better and that's saying a lot. read more

Great service, great food, super fast! What more can I say? The egg sandwich with avocado and arugula was so delicious I ate every bite, even the bun which I normally only eat the bottom half. The brioche was incredibly light and delicious. The servers are so friendly and are all willing to help every table. Wish I lived local, this would be my jam! read more

Outstanding place to have a meal and good time with family. Food and service were top notch and they actually took the time to listen to us. Very good. read more

I went here on my first Sunday in Cincinnati. Oh boy, what a crowd! At 11AM in the morning, it seemed that everybody and their uncle were waiting for a chair at this place. I did not think ahead to make a reservation, so I waited in the queue for about half an hour. They had put out a coffee pot for the folks in line, very thoughtful. When my name was called at the end of that wait, it was like getting selected for an Ivy League management school. So this is a Midwest based chain of breakfast restaurants, and I was eager to try something new. My favorites in breakfast are pancakes, sausage and eggs. At first I found it hard to find some combo of these three. The waitress looked tired, but she obliged and pointed me to Tri-fecta combo. I washed them down with an Orange juice which felt fresh. I am still wondering what is the big deal about all the crowd here? It was just standard fare, nothing great! read more

How I love breakfast!!!! By far this is one of my favorite chain breakfast restaurants and a go to for brunch. I love their fresh look and mellow atmosphere. I usually get whatever is on special because is freaking delicious. Last time I was here I got the avocado toast with hard-boiled eggs and it was delicious and something I had not thought about trying before. Servers are super friendly and is reasonably price for what you get. And since it's the season, they had pumpkin pancakes... I was not thrilled about the flavor because I expected more spice and pumpkin flavor but my friend truly enjoyed them. read more

Has been a go to place for breakfast. However not a great experience. Food was not prepared to order. Came out cold. Not the way to serve breakfast. Cold runny eggs. read more

True, the food's good, the choices are amazing, the place is comfy and clean. But here's the elephant in the room no other reviewer's mentioned: the prices are too high. Eggs, pancakes....those are cheap foods, easily found for about $5 for a full-on all-inclusive breakfast at any number of diners (more especially on the west side, but also available on east side). Here, you can't get out for less than $10, which is a hell of a lot for bacon and eggs. I get that it's great for a business meeting where you have to impress, or a "ladies' brunch," but I find it strange no yelpers have mentioned it. Here's an example: my husband likes one egg, not two, no meat, with his breakfast. When he asked the waitress what to order (bunch of sides vs "the traditional," their package) she told him the traditional, then charged him full price. Seriously, $10 for one egg, toast, and some potatoes? It seemed like it was calculated to run up the bill. Yes, they get to know you and your order; wouldn't that be true anyplace you frequented? Ok, ok....it's delicious, clean, pleasant. Just thought someone should mention the obvious. read more

My first time ever eating at first watch and I had a great experience. Scott and another woman (didn't catch her name) was super nice to me, gave me options, went over menu with me and introduced the app and it's benefits. Thank you so much you both made my experience great! read more

I have come to First Watch many times over the years and have enjoyed it. I haven't been in a few months and I am very impressed with their healthier menu. I hade the kale juice and it was fabulous, just a hint of sweetness. I am looking forward to trying the other ones. I had the Bacado omelette and avocado toast, all very good. Highly recommend. read more

I love this place. I eat here all the time with my family. I really like their Monterey Club sandwich and the Tomato Bisque soup combo its off the chain, very very very tasty. This place has a lot of healthy options as well. The quality of the food here for a chain is top notch. This is one my favorite places to eat in Cincinnati. The only downsize is the place is so crowded on the the weekends you could wait a long time to get a table. I would recommend this place to any man, women or child. Its a great breakfast place for families as well. read more

We've always liked First Watch's food and their servers are great... but this particular location has the best kitchen staff! We always get our food so quickly and it's its always accurate for us. We love coming here! read more

If you like brunch you'll love First Watch! Excellent food, many options to choose from. The Eggs Benedict is awesome. I love eating that and theirs is not far from the best! read more

We love First Watch, we will even do take out on Sundays if we want to chill at home. Consistently delicious food every time we order! Family friendly, with seasonal menus and quick efficient service. It's our go-to for brunch! read more

The atmosphere was great and very clean. There was a great variety of food choices on the menu. I ordered the roast beef and havarti sandwich. The bread had crusted Parmesan on it and it was amazing. The only thing that weirded me out about it was that the sandwich was warm but the meat was cold. Still tasted very good. The waiter that we had was awesome! Very prompt and easy to find when we needed something. read more

Poor parking is big problem. Also so little handicapped parking. Have been there multiple times had to leave since no parking. If you are poor health you have to have someone with you to dropoff. Food is always great and fresh , great service. Just not great when you have brain tumour or health issues. Miss eating there but have given up hope of ever eating there again to lack of parking lot read more